ETSU Quillen

East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine Johnson City, TN · Public · MD

Average MCAT: 512
Average GPA: 3.82
Class size: 96 (2,929 applicants)
Tuition: $47,424 (per year, nonresident)
Out-of-state applicants: Welcome

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Nov. 1, 2026
Early Decision Program: Aug. 1, 2026
Secondary deadline: Supplemental information due within 14 days of request; Casper scores from tests after Dec 3, 2026 not accepted

Essays

Essay 1 (1,500 characters)

Why have you chosen to apply to Quillen College of Medicine? How do your personal and professional goals align with Quillen’s mission and values?

Essay 2 (1,500 characters)

Quillen College of Medicine’s curriculum is designed to foster excellence in clinical practice through active, in-person participation and peer co-learning. This approach requires individual preparation, engagement in participatory class sessions, and a commitment to mutual coaching among peers. We believe that meaningful learning extends beyond academics and can be found in all areas of life. To help us understand how you will thrive in our community, please reflect on the significance of this learning model in your personal and professional development. In your response, consider the following: Describe a time when you navigated a challenging group learning experience. What was your role, and how did you contribute to the group’s success? Discuss the value you find in learning through teaching and coaching your peers. How does this approach enhance your understanding and application of material? You are encouraged to draw from both academic and non-academic experiences to illustrate your points.

Essay 3 (choose one) (1,500 characters)

Choose one of the following: a. As a physician, you will have the unique opportunity to foster positive change within your patients and community. Reflect on how your life experiences have shaped your values and attitudes towards others, especially those from different backgrounds or with differing values. How have these experiences prepared you to treat all patients with respect, care, compassion, and dignity, even when their beliefs differ from your own b. Describe a specific initiative or project you have undertaken to improve your community. What motivated you to get involved, and what impact did your efforts have? In your response, please highlight any challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learned from the experience c. Use this space to tell the committee anything else about yourself that you have not had the opportunity to present elsewhere in your application.

Editor's notes

Book Casper the day you submit AMCAS. Quillen won't consider you for an interview until your score arrives, scores take about four weeks, and the supplement itself is due 14 days after the request. The last accepted test date is Dec. 3, 2026, but waiting that long costs you interview slots.
Look at the 2026 numbers before you apply from out of state: 2,316 out-of-state applicants, 150 interviews, 18 accepted students. The school says it welcomes applicants with a genuine commitment to the region. Your file needs to show that commitment, with real ties to Appalachia or rural care.
Quillen's mission is one sentence, primary care for underserved rural communities, and the first essay asks you to align with it. The FAQ is clear that students aren't obligated to choose primary care. Don't pretend to a specialty. Show the service orientation.
If you're a veteran, say so plainly. Quillen gives admission preference to active-duty military and honorably discharged veterans, and waives the supplemental fee for them.